This Website Privacy Statement addresses the collection, security, and disclosure of information when individuals interact with BHDD websites. This privacy statement applies only to information voluntarily submitted through the BHDD website or automatically collected through technical means.

Information Collected.

• When you visit the BHDD website, we may automatically gather and store the following information about your visit so that we can track how our website is used, in order to make improvements. This information is stored and used in the aggregate only and is not used to contact you personally.
• If you are using this website to read or download information we may collect:
  • the IP address from which you access our website;
  • the name of the domain from which you access the internet;
  • the type of browser and operating system used to access our website;
  • the date and time you access our website;
  • the pages, files, documents, and links that you visit; and
  • the website URL that referred you to this website (the address for the last website you visited before visiting this one).
• If you are using this website to send us an email: By sending us an electronic mail message, you may be sending us personal information (e.g., name, physical address, email address).  Please do not put confidential and personal information such as a social security number, date of birth, bank account number, credit card information, or medical information in your email communications to BHDD.
• If you are using this website to register: Our website may ask visitors, who request specific information, to fill out a registration form. Other information that may be collected at this website through questionnaires, feedback forms, or other means, enables us to determine a visitor's interests, with the goal of providing better service to our customers.
• Cookies: For statistical purposes, we may collect and store cookies. In addition to information collected automatically, we use cookies to support the internal functionality of the website. Cookies, which are small pieces of information sent to your browser by a website that you visit, are stored on your computer and used to track usage patterns, traffic trends, and customer behavior, as well as to record other information from a website. When you register on this website, cookies also allow us to save information so that you will not have to re-enter it the next time you visit. Many content adjustments and customer service improvements are made based on the data derived from cookies.  Information that we collect from cookies will not be used to create profiles of individual users and only will be used in aggregate form. BHDD may use cookies to store information on your computer.

Security.

• BHDD is committed to data security and the data quality of personal information that is either available from, or collected by, our websites and has taken precautions to protect personal information from loss, misuse, or alteration. Any third parties responsible for this information are committed to the same principles and are required by contract to follow the same policies and guidelines as the State of South Carolina in protecting this information.

Disclosure.

• Information is not sold or shared except as required by law.
• Data Privacy: BHDD will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of your information.
• Data You Provide to Us: If your data is stored in our system, it may be accessed by our staff members in the performance of their job duties.
• Data Sharing:
  • BHDD is a public agency and information collected on this website may be subject to disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). FOIA includes various exemptions, including an exemption that permits public bodies to withhold from disclosure certain types of information of personal nature in order to preserve the privacy of individuals.
  • Additionally, information provided by visitors to this website or collected may be subject to disclosure as required by other State or Federal Laws, or in order to comply with valid legal process, such as a subpoena, court order, or search warrant, or as otherwise provided by this privacy statement.
  • The Family Privacy Protection Act of 2002: This Act prohibits persons or private entities from using any personal information obtained from a state agency for commercial solicitation purposes. A person knowingly violating this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties specified in South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-2-50(D).
  • Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), 15 U.S.C. § 6501, et seq.: Our website is not geared towards children under 13 years of age.  Younger visitors should always check with their parents or guardians before entering information on any website, and we encourage families to discuss their household guidelines regarding the online sharing of personal information.

Changes.

• BHDD may change this privacy statement from time to time. If we change this privacy statement at some point in the future, we will post the changes on our website. By continuing to use the website after we post any changes, you accept and agree to this privacy statement as modified.

Links to Other Websites.

• The BHDD website links to other government websites and occasionally to private organizations. Once you leave the BHDD website, you are subject to the privacy policy for the websites you are visiting. The BHDD website is not responsible for the contents of any off-site web page. A link to a page does not constitute an endorsement.